Haze hits unhealthy level

PETALING JAYA: The air quality in several spots in the country worsened today with the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings highest in recent weeks.
Port Klang, Selangor, recorded the highest API reading of 119, which is the unhealthy level, while Seri Manjung, Perak, recorded a reading of 101 as of 5pm today.
Reading for other areas include Shah Alam (99), Jalan Tasek, Ipoh (91), Banting (87), Kuaka Selangor (87), Petaling Jaya (83), Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (83), S K Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh, Perak (81) and Taiping, Perak (79).
A reading of 0-50 is good, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and more than 300 is hazardous.
Earlier on Saturday, a 2.83ha forest fire broke out in Puchong at 9:15pm and which is believed to have contributed to the hazy condition of the Klang Valley.
The Fire and Rescue Department despatched 26 firemen to put out the blaze.
It was reported that the fire had been started by an individual who was burning dry grass, which eventually spread to the nearby forest, and it is the third time a fire broke out in the area.